Phuket dive operator- first time Thailand

[smilindavet]

I will be in Phuket for my first time. Can anyone recommend a dive operator in Patong? I am vacation/intermediate diver. I will be traveling alone. I would rather not be on a "cattle" boat. Thanks

[OnTheSpot]

Hi Smilin Dave T,

Are you planning to do some daytrips from Phuket? If so then take your time to check through your daytrip options (http://www.divetheworldthailand.com/daytrips.htm)

Or there are plenty to choose from if you are thinking of a Similans Liveaboard (http://www.divetheworldthailand.com/liveaboards.htm) You should be able to find one in your price bracket. You can check how many divers they each take so you can avoid any that might be considered cattle boats.

You will probably get quite a few suggestions here on this forum. Best is to have a good look and compare the options yourself.

[plonske]

Hi, look at CoralGrandDivers, maybe something for you! Good luck with searching and have nice dives.

Cheers,

[DiverDave65]

Contact Kevan and Chantal at Diving Phuket Scuba Club Thailand - PADI courses and Liveaboard scuba diving (http://www.Phuket-Scuba-Club.com). They are a great couple from S Africa, run a superb shop and can help answer all your questions about diving in and around Phuket, whether it is day trips or liveaboards.

Just so you know....almost all the dive shops on Phuket can set you up on dives, but they pretty much act as "brokers" and send you to the 5-7 boats going out every day. Service is great....they pick you up at your hotel and drop you off at the end of the day.

Kevan and Chantal have two shops located near the beach. Beach diving is available if you need refresher training. I would strongly recommend a short live-aboard for the Similan islands and if you are traveling alone you MUST contact Chantal, esp for last-minute bookings on live-aboards.

I've used this shop on three trips to Phuket.

Feel free to PM me!!

diver Dave65

[Quero]

Just so you know....almost all the dive shops on Phuket can set you up on dives, but they pretty much act as "brokers" and send you to the 5-7 boats going out every day. Service is great....they pick you up at your hotel and drop you off at the end of the day. diver Dave65


True, but there are three times as many boats as that doing daytrips, just out of Phuket, without even considering those departing out of Khao Lak! By using a shop that books on many boats and by carefully arranging your daily dive itinerary you get a better chance of seeing more sites on exactly the days you want to dive since you are not tied to just one operator's weekly schedule.

[stevenl]

OR just cut out the middle man and go straight to south siam divers in Kata, as most of the dive shops use south siam 3 and 4 anywaysThe OP is looking for the not cattle boats.

Plus the boats you mention go to the Similans, there are alternatives both for daytrips and similan trips, they are not in Kata, etc.

[Ringo]

OR just cut out the middle man and go straight to south siam divers in Kata, as most of the dive shops use south siam 3 and 4 anyways

Apologies in advance Scuba Steeve if I have misunderstood you. So are you saying that you can get the trips cheaper then? Are you also saying that South Siam and the other Thai owned boats do not need the "middle man" in order to run a successful operation?

Otherwise Quero I believe that you have it spot on - the agents have more choices with the various boat options. Also at least we all have the choice of what boat operation we use and who we prefer not to. We also have a very strong say in how these operations are run since we have a serious interest to ensure that the boat owners run professional operations - if they do not, we simply will not book our customers on them.

At the end of the day some more than others are far more selective about which boat trip operations (of course they have to be Thai owned) we choose to operate with. So Scuba Steeve, a pro as a Tour leader whether it be on a daytrip or a Liveaboard boat should know of all people that the foreign and Thai crews on all of these boats have regular jobs largely due to the business supplied by these "middle men".

Hope this puts a lot more perspective for SB members on how the boat owners and agents work together on Phuket.

[stevenl]

but i refuse to lower myselfNo, you can't.

[Batfish]

#10 - a good example of posting under the influence.

[Ringo]

:rofl3:
Must have been a good night out :drunks:

[Batfish]

Oh you wait until Saturday and the Rugby, eh Ringo - those bleddy Springboks don't have a chance... Be a few hangovers on Sunday I reckon. Make sure your tour leader is German or something on Sunday - they don't do rugby.

[stevenl]

I'm Dutch, so also for me no rugby, bit I thought the final was on Sunday?

[Batfish]

Early hours of Sunday morning "our" time. I won't watch as I tend to curse England. They were winning 1-0 last night against Russia until I started watching with 20 minutes to go.

[Ringo]

Dont worry Jamie the staff are already worked out for Sunday. Kev is willing to put half a doz heinies on it with you???

Otherwise just love your new Avatar!

Going back to the OP - there are so many good operators on Phuket (where are you staying?) and when you visit them tell them that you want more personalized dive tours. Most of the DC's would be more than willing to assist you with this.

[stevenl]

They were winning 1-0 last night against Russia until I started watching with 20 minutes to go.Please watch :)

[stevenl]

Presume you watched Jamie?

[smilindavet]

I will be staying at Safari beach hotel. I have looked at a map of patong area and saw lots of dive shops. I just dont want to wander into the wrong one on my first trip. I will not be there long, so i dont have time for a learning curve..

[Batfish]

In Patong, try Dive The World.

[Aquanauts Pattaya]

Getting back to the OP's QUESTION, I personally use and strongly endourse Dive Asia, which has an office in Patong, and Scubacat, along the beach in Patong. Two very professional outfits.

[stevenl]

I have looked at a map of patong area and saw lots of dive shops.And when you look around you will see even more.

Why not just contact any of the DC's active on the board? We will all arrange transfers and can sort out all your requirements here.

[Ringo]

My recommendations in Patong would be Dive The World or Dive Asia (as Aqua says they do have a branch in Patong as well as branches in Kata). Both operations have been around for many years and have good reputations.

Whatever you decide - have a good time.
Chantal

[kwayne88]

personally i like the cattle boats. maybe its being sadistic but i get a kick out of watching all the new divers scramble over each other trying to get there gear situated when they open the pool.